Estelle’s Recap

Empress Xu is given the poisonous wine to end her life, but she is happy that she is at least able to leave an heir for the Emperor. Apparently, three years ago, she gave birth secretly and Zhang Heng was able to send the child to live with another family. Gong Ming visits this child before he sets off to commit suicide. Meanwhile, the Wang family rejoices in their win, but Wang Mang is unable to savor this sweet victory.

the future emperor

so much for trying to save her this whole time

sad

In 2015, Xiang Xiang attends an award ceremony while still feeling depressed even though she isn’t sure why. It’s because of Gong Ming, girl! Xiao Nan and Jing Jie try to cheer her up, but it doesn’t work. Suddenly, Xiang Xiang remembers that it is the debut airing of the documentary, and the trio turn on the TV to check it out.

Gong Ming visits the bridge one last time and thinks of all his happy memories with Xiang Xiang. Cue flashbacks! After about yet another review of what happened two episodes ago, Gong Ming apologizes for breaking his promise before taking off the red ribbon on his wrist and throwing it into the lake. I’m just surprised the ribbon stayed this clean this whole time.

taking off the ribbon

at least he is clean shaven

Xiang Xiang listens to the reading of the letter again and starts to ball. Soon after, she wipes off her tears to attend a press conference. While on stage, she suddenly has a vision of Gong Ming in that God awful fur coat and runs out of the conference center. In 16 B.C., Gong Ming jumps into the lake and drowns.

mad tears

Xiang Xiang speeds to the bridge in her ceremony getup and calls Gong Ming’s name. She looks down at the lake as if she knows what happened to him….This is where the normal finale ends.

jumped

oh no face

In the SPECIAL finale, Xiang Xiang jumps into the lake and saves Gong Ming from drowning. She pulls him into an embrace and the two are together at long last! In the epilogue, Xiang Xiang explains that she saw the red ribbon floating on top of the lake and that’s why she jumped. Our OTP also get married~! Phew, there’s closure at long last! Even if the special finale is after two hours of flashbacks (I just fast forwarded).

I was a fan of the Korean version. I thought I should give this version a try. I gave up after eps 11 or 12… I tried to like it but I just couldn’t. I expected that the version will be vastly different but the writing and editing are definitely not up to par to the Korean version. There are so many things dont add up and explain well in this version. Glad that I dont waste my time any longer as your recap tells me the ending is not good^^

You should watch the Korean version. First 2 eps are a bit slow in term of plot, but after that the story picks up. I love Korean version is written with a lot of thoughts. Every details are explained and carefully thought by the writers. Hats off for them.